The wind howled through the mountain pass, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. Selene pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders as she and her companions rode through the narrow path leading away from the Silent Court.
The deal was struck. Now came the hard part—keeping their end of the bargain.
Cassius rode beside her, his expression unreadable. Orion followed close behind, keeping watch over the hooded stranger who had approached them the night before.
Riven.
That was the name the assassin had given them. A name spoken in whispers among those who dealt in secrets and bloodshed.
Selene knew better than to trust someone who made a living off of death. But trust wasn't necessary—only usefulness.
"You're quiet," Cassius murmured.
Selene glanced at him. "Thinking."
"About?"
She exhaled, her breath curling in the cold air. "Whether we survive this."
Cassius chuckled, though there was no real humor in it. "That's the spirit."
Up ahead, Riven slowed their horse, then dismounted with a fluid grace. "We camp here for the night," they said.
Selene frowned. "We can push further."
Riven turned to her, eyes dark and unreadable. "No, we can't." They crouched, running gloved fingers over the damp ground. "We're being watched."
Cassius stiffened, hand drifting toward his sword. "How many?"
Riven didn't look up. "Five. Maybe six. They're good."
Selene scanned the trees, but saw nothing. "Scouts?"
Riven nodded. "Saren's men."
Orion cursed under his breath. "He knows we're coming."
"Of course, he does." Riven stood, brushing dirt from their hands. "The Order isn't stupid. And Saren? He didn't get where he is by being careless."
Selene's mind worked quickly. "We can't let them report back."
Cassius grinned. "Finally, some fun."
Selene didn't smile. "Do it quietly."
Cassius and Riven vanished into the trees, moving like shadows. Orion stayed close, eyes scanning the darkness.
Minutes stretched into an hour. Then—a faint rustle. A strangled gasp. Silence.
Cassius returned first, wiping his blade clean with a cloth. "Five dead. One got away."
Selene swore. "How long before he reaches Saren?"
Riven emerged from the shadows, looking unimpressed. "A day. Maybe less."
Selene clenched her jaw. They had lost the element of surprise.
"We need to move."
Riven smirked. "That's the first smart thing you've said all night."
Selene ignored them. There was no turning back now.
Saren would be waiting.
And the hunt had begun.
They rode through the night.
The moon hung low in the sky, silver light spilling through the trees as their horses moved swiftly along the narrow trail. The mountain pass grew colder, the wind sharp enough to bite through even the thickest cloaks.
Selene barely felt it.
Her thoughts churned with strategy, calculating every possible move Saren might make. If the scout reached him in time, he would fortify his stronghold, double his patrols, and prepare for an attack.
That meant their window to strike was shrinking.
"We need to cut him off," Orion said, voice low. "If the scout makes it back, Saren will send more men after us."
Selene nodded. "We have to stop him before he reaches the fortress."
Riven gave her a knowing look. "You don't even know where he's going."
Selene turned to them. "You do."
A slow smile. "I might."
Cassius groaned. "Why do assassins always have to be dramatic?"
Riven ignored him, pulling out a small dagger and twirling it between their fingers. "The scout is heading east, through the Blackwood trail. It's the fastest way back to Saren's stronghold."
Selene's eyes narrowed. "Then we intercept him."
Orion frowned. "That trail is dangerous."
Cassius raised a brow. "And this mission isn't?"
Riven sheathed their dagger. "If we go after him, we need to move fast."
Selene gripped the reins tighter. They didn't have a choice.
She turned her horse eastward. "Then we ride."
The Blackwood Trail was aptly named. The trees grew close together, their gnarled branches stretching like skeletal fingers toward the sky. Shadows pooled in every hollow, making it difficult to see beyond a few feet ahead.
The ground was treacherous, uneven with hidden roots and loose stones. The air smelled damp, tinged with the scent of decaying leaves.
Selene urged her horse forward, heart pounding.
Somewhere ahead, the scout was running for his life.
They moved swiftly, the hooves of their horses muffled against the soft earth. Riven rode ahead, guiding them through the twists and turns of the trail with an ease that spoke of familiarity.
Then—movement.
Selene caught a flicker of motion in the distance. A dark figure darting between the trees, moving fast.
"The scout," Orion whispered.
Selene didn't hesitate. She spurred her horse forward, breaking into a full gallop.
The scout must have heard them, because he ran faster, weaving through the trees with desperate speed.
Cassius cursed. "He's quick."
Riven grinned. "Not quick enough."
Without warning, Riven leapt from their horse, rolling into the underbrush before vanishing into the darkness.
Selene barely had time to process before—
A sharp cry. A struggle. Then—silence.
When Selene and the others reached them, Riven was already standing over the scout's motionless body, wiping a bloodied blade on their sleeve.
Cassius exhaled. "Well, that was efficient."
Riven smirked. "I do my best."
Selene dismounted, kneeling beside the body. The scout's eyes were frozen open in shock, his throat slashed cleanly. He hadn't even had time to scream.
"We have our advantage back," Orion murmured.
Selene nodded.
Saren wouldn't know they were coming.
Not until it was too late.